Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Get unlimited access to 9,500+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just

$149.99
 
$74.99/Year

Try GOLD - Free

Your office could be Singapore's next big health intervention

The Straits Times

|

September 17, 2025

Helping people become healthier when they work should be the next priority for Singapore public health.

- Teo Yik Ying

Your office could be Singapore's next big health intervention

Picture two workers in Singapore. Both spend decades at their jobs, clocking long hours and juggling family responsibilities.

One reaches retirement overweight, diabetic, and exhausted, having skipped regular checkups and carried years of stress. The other leaves the workforce healthier than when they started, having benefitted from regular health screenings at work, subsidised healthy meals in the canteen, access to mental health support, and a workplace culture that valued rest and balance.

The difference between these two stories is not luck or genetics, but whether the workplace was intentionally designed to promote health and well-being.

This is precisely the opportunity before us. At the National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong declared that Singapore must aspire to be a “we-first” society, where institutions, businesses and communities pursue success together in ways that help all Singaporeans thrive. This vision reframes public policy around collective well-being as a core national priority.

In practice, this ethos already underpins several recent initiatives.

Age Well SG was launched as a coordinated strategy led by the Ministry of Health (MOH) alongside the ministries of National Development and Transport. It rethinks neighbourhoods, transport, and home environments through a whole-of-society lens that lets seniors live independently, stay socially connected, and receive care in the community.

Grow Well SG likewise brings together MOH with the ministries of Education and Social and Family Development to build healthy habits in children and adolescents, mobilising schools, preschools, health providers, and community partners.

Together with Healthier SG, these initiatives sketch a life course approach to health promotion and disease prevention, from the earliest years to the sunset years.

MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Digitalisation - Can seniors have printed receipts at healthcare institutions?

I am writing to express my concern regarding the implementation of the Ministry of Health's \"Go Paperless\" initiative for payment receipts at healthcare institutions.

time to read

1 min

September 22, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Help, my teen has social anxiety

Experts say parents play a crucial role in helping their adolescents to overcome the condition

time to read

6 mins

September 22, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Britain, Canada and Australia recognise Palestinian state

Other countries are expected to do the same at UN General Assembly this week

time to read

3 mins

September 22, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

The climate crisis may also be a ticking financial time bomb

Bankers and corporate CEOs are already struggling to manage growing financial risks. New risks from climate change could push things over the edge.

time to read

7 mins

September 22, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Tween Cathy Chen Xi wins first prize

The Il-year-old Singaporean violinist had daily lessons, sometimes twice a day, in the two weeks leading up to the final

time to read

2 mins

September 22, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

KENYAN ODIRA 'REALLY GRATEFUL'

Debutante beats fancied pair with powerful 800m finish, while Hocker makes amends

time to read

3 mins

September 22, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

S'pore firms drawn to Africa's fast-growing consumer market

Continent has youngest population, huge reserves of commodities, critical minerals

time to read

6 mins

September 22, 2025

The Straits Times

3 more suspects linked to fake bulk order scams arrested

Three more people have been arrested for their suspected links to the recent fake bulk order scams that were carried out through impersonating Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) servicemen.

time to read

1 mins

September 22, 2025

The Straits Times

Matchmaking efforts by local Japanese govts prove a hit with Gen Z

The nature of konkatsu matchmaking programmes organised by local Japanese governments is changing to better suit the preferences of young adults belonging to Generation Z, those who were born from the latter half of the 1990s to around 2010.

time to read

3 mins

September 22, 2025

The Straits Times

Hygiene - Measures in place to ensure food safety of autonomous kitchen systems

We refer to the Forum letter by Mr Cheong Wing Kiat, \"Clarity on accountability needed for autonomous kitchens\" (Sept 11).

time to read

1 mins

September 22, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size